Page 140 of Fresh Canvas
“Oh, Amantha?”
I poked my head out, taking in his lopsided smile from the other end of the hallway.
“I love you.”
My heart abandoned its rhythm, adopting a new one entirely. “I love you, too. Goodnight, Russo.”
The door’s lock clicked.
The chapel’s stained glass windows cast multi-colored hues on the ground for what felt like the millionth time. Anthony bounded into the room, his lavender tie askew.
“Mom, this is so embarrassing. I can’t believe you’re making me do this.” His nose wrinkled in disgust, again holding the woven flower basket away from his body. He turned and ran from the room, lily petals fluttering out.
“Anthony, come back!” Those words never failed to hold an edge of desperation. The cemented feeling of my legs caused panic to grip my chest again, and I wiped my cold sweat against the candlelit silk of my gown. Any moment now, Ryan’s footsteps would creep behind me. My skin crawled with dread.
A knock sounded at the door.
My head snapped up.
That’s new.
“Can I come in?” A deep voice was muffled through the door.
“Uh, sure?” It wasn’t like I could have stopped him anyway.
Moments later, tuxedo-clad arms encircled my middle, making my stomach roil.
“You look beautiful, Angel.”
I gasped. “Val?” My frozen legs were released as I spun to face him. He gazed down at me, his lopsided smile widening.
“Who else were you expecting?” Val gently grasped my shoulders and turned me around. “Look up, Angel. You’re the most beautiful bride.”
The mirror materialized yet again. My heart raced as trepidation consumed me. I swept my traitorous gaze up the mirror anyway, my breathing ragged, until I met a pair of misty gray eyes. The woman’s fringe of thick black lashes blinked back at me, my own lips parting in shock.
“I know, right? I was just as surprised when you said you’d marry me. Though I assumed the shock would have worn off by now.” Val’s deep chuckle rumbled against my shoulder blades.
“It’s me.” I stepped closer, meeting my fingertips within the glass. Not Stella. Not Vanessa. Justme. Relief began to stream down my cheeks. I turned and launched myself at Val, kissing him desperately.
“Val, don’t let me wake up. I can’t go back to missing you. I can’t go another day without you. Withoutus.” I began to sob. “Let me stay in this dream where you still want me. Don’t let me wake up, Val. Don’t let me?—”
The scene faded, though I continued to weep.
Moonlight edged the room in silver shadows as I continued to sob into my pillow. My chest ached with the memory of Val’s lopsided smile.
I fumbled for my tissue box on my nightstand, but it wasn’t there. Frowning, I sat up in a pool of satin charcoal sheets. I stifled my gasp as it all came rushing back.
Val told me he loved me.
He washere, selflessly sleeping on the couch not thirty feet away.
Too far.
The lock clicked open in the dead of night.
I tiptoed down the hall in Val’s t-shirt, and a tidal wave of relief rushed over me when I saw him. He was a side sleeper, apparently, with one arm shoved under his pillow. His dark curls tumbled over his forehead.
My heart threatened to burst. No way was I spendinganother second away from him. Gently slipping underneath his spare comforter beside him, I tried to go unnoticed as I nestled against him on the wide couch.
